KUALA LUMPUR – The use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in Malaysia will be reviewed following reports of blood clots and deaths in the United Kingdom, said Khairy Jamaluddin.
The science, technology and innovation minister was quoted by The Star as saying a decision will be made on Tuesday at a vaccine committee meeting.
He said Malaysia is expecting a report from a group of experts on the latest developments relating to the vaccine.
“There are also several cases of blood clots being reported by the UK regulatory body. We will look at the data available.
“However, the public should not be worried, as the AstraZeneca vaccine has yet to be delivered to Malaysia despite being approved for use.
“We still have the Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac vaccines approved for use in Malaysia,” he told a press conference after a meeting with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad in Iskandar Puteri today.
Malaysia has ordered 6.4 million doses of the AstraZeneca jab and another 1.4 million doses via the Covax facility. They are expected to arrive next month.
Khairy said the government has other plans if the AstraZeneca vaccine roll-out is delayed, or if it is found to be unsuitable for use.
“We have an offer from Pfizer for another 12.8 million doses, in addition to the ones already ordered (30 million doses).”
On other brands, he said: “Negotiations are ongoing for the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine and others that have yet to hit the market.”
Yesterday, AFP reported the UK medical regulator as saying seven of the 30 people who suffered blood clots after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine died.
The acknowledgement comes as several European countries paused the use of the jab over its potential link to blood clots.
The Netherlands yesterday halted vaccinations using the AstraZeneca jab for people under the age of 60 following five new cases of blood clots among women, one of whom died.
Australia announced that a man in the state of Victoria was admitted to hospital for blood clots after receiving the vaccine.
Germany took a similar decision earlier this week.
The European Medicines Agency – which, like the World Health Organisation, previously declared the vaccine safe – is expected to announce its updated advice on Wednesday.
AstraZeneca last month said following United States efficacy trials that its jab is 79% effective at preventing Covid-19 and does not increase the risk of blood clots.
The UK has administered more than 31 million first vaccine doses, using both the AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech jabs. People cannot choose which one they get.
The country last June ordered 100 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and supported its development. It also ordered 30 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab the same year. – The Vibes, April 4, 2021
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